SACRAMENTO -- A bill that would require half the products in vending machines on California state property to meet "healthy" guidelines has passed through the Senate Government Organizations Committee and will be heard next by the Senate Health Committee. The California Automatic Vendors Council has lobbied heavily against the legislation and is enlisting operators for their support as it continues to oppose the bill's passage.

The measure (AB 727), introduced by assemblywoman Holly Mitchell (D-CA), would require that, by 2016, 50% of products in vending machines on state property comply with the nutritional standards outlined in state law. It previously required that 100% of products comply by 2016, but California lawmakers amended the bill in June, making it less restrictive. | SEE STORY

Current law requires that 35% of products in vending machines on state property comply with the nutritional standards.

CAVC has argued that the current requirements are adequate and that imposing the proposed restrictions would place vending operators at a competitive disadvantage when cafeterias and other food outlets on state-owned property would be allowed to continue to sell the same snack and beverage items without the restriction. The association is asking industry members to voice their opposition to the bill by contacting their senators. A sample letter is available by emailing NAMA senior director of government affairs Sandy Larson.